Arnell Ignacio Won'T Allow His Daughter Sofia, 15, To Watch His New Movie 'Bola'

ARNELL IGNACIO was having a fever when we interviewed him but he still showed up to prove he’s a real pro. “Nakakahiya naman sa producer namin ng ‘Bola’ if I wouldn’t help promote it,” he says. “In fairness to them, parang hindi indie movie ang ginawa namin kasi pati sa lighting, they spent for it. May crane shots pa. When the movie was offered to me, nagandahan ako sa role ko as a gay designer sa probinsiya na nagbibihis ng mga Santo sa prusisyon pero tumutulong magpaaral sa basketball players para mahada niya. Na-obsessed ako sa newcomer ditong si Kenneth Salva kahit alam kong girlfriend niya yung model kong beauty queen. Highlight ng movie yung bedscene namin.”

Will he allow his daughter, Sofia, to watch the movie? “Naku, hindi. Puede ba, e nakikipaghalikan ako sa kapwa ko lalaki. She’s now 15.” Has she heard from Sofia’s mom, Frannie, after they separated? “We broke up in 2004 pa and since then, wala na akong balita. Sa lahat ng relasyon ko, doon ako nasaktan kasi kasal kami and I thought we’ll grow old together. E, siya, naniwala sa lahat ng mga intriga, laging nagsususpetsa.”

He stresses that “Bola” is not just a gay film. “Mas maraming bed scenes si Kenneth with Sofia Valdez dito who plays his girlfriend. Kasama rin dito si Suzette Ranillo as Kenneth’s widowed mom at si Simon Ibarra as may best friend na malanding gay at mas open kaysa sa’kin. First shooting day ko, puyat na puyat ako and I told the make-up artist, bahala ka na. When I woke up, sinadsad ang buhok ko. Sabi ko, gaga, wig yan, pinutulan mo, P40,000 yan. Kaya di ko malilimutan ang pelikulang ito.”

“Bola” is produced by R&B Entertainment & Amazing Productions, written by Jerry Gracio and directed by Lem Lorca of Mauban, Quezon.